Tourism in Cuba is collapsing, with a significant drop in visitors in June, especially from Russian tourists.
By June, Cuba had received 1,306,650 travelers, 319,654 fewer than in the same period of 2024, according to official data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI).
Additionally, 981,856 international visitors arrived, 327,799 fewer than in 2024, resulting in a 25% decrease in the total number of visitors to Cuba.
The arrival of Russian tourists, a market that the regime has bet on to revive the sector in an attempt to resuscitate the struggling Cuban economy, also plummeted.
By the end of June, only 63,708 Russian tourists had arrived on the island, representing a significant decrease of 48,999 tourists compared to the previous year, which had seen 112,707 arrivals.
Canada, traditionally the first market for Cuban tourism, also shows a sharp decline, dropping from 577,624 to 428,125 visitors.
The contraction deepens the trend that had already been established by the end of May, when there were 303,299 fewer visitors compared to the same period in 2024.
These figures continue to confirm that the contraction of tourism is not temporary, but structural. Hotel occupancy in the first quarter was only 24.1%, which means that more than 75% of the installed capacity remained unused, even during peak season.
Overnight stays fell from more than 5 million to 3.6 million, and revenue plummeted by 21.5%, from 44.411 million to 34.860 million Cuban pesos, according to data released by the state entity.
The hotel chain Meliá reported a 20.8% drop in revenue per available room and an average occupancy rate of 40.5%, confirming the underperformance of the Cuban market compared to other Caribbean destinations.
"International tourism did not occupy even a quarter of hotel capacity in the first quarter. This is a worse result than in 2024 and contradicts the official narrative of recovery," warned economist Pedro Monreal.
Despite this situation, the Cuban regime continues to invest in the construction of hotels and tourist infrastructure, a strategy that has been strongly criticized by economists and sector specialists.
This week, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero emphasized that tourism will be the "engine of the Cuban economy," despite the fact that the sector is in complete decline and has not been able to meet the expected plans for over three years.
Last Monday, before members of the National Assembly, Marrero continued to insist on the same rhetoric and stated that "a prosperous tourism will generate income, jobs, and development." On social media, the public's response was swift: "How much longer, Marrero, with that story?" said one user.
During his speech in the Committees on Services and Agro-Food, Marrero stated that “ensuring the operation of tourism does not mean neglecting the population, but rather enabling income to meet their needs.” A promise that, after years of accumulated crisis, sounds increasingly hollow.
The Cuban tourism industry, impacted by the decline in visitor arrivals, poor hospitality services, and low competitiveness, struggles to take off even to sustain itself. This was acknowledged by the Minister of Tourism, Juan Carlos García Granda, who described 2024 as “the worst moment since September 11, 2001.”
The problems are not new. Excessive centralization, lack of incentives for domestic producers, debts in national currency, payment defaults, and an unstable supply chain that, rather than being revitalized, remains broken.
The government had set a goal of reaching 2.6 million international visitors by 2025, a target that is already perceived as impossible
As setbacks accumulate, doubts grow about the sustainability of an economic model that relies on a tourism sector that is in sharp decline. Official figures leave no room for doubt: the crisis in the Cuban tourism sector is profound, and its recovery appears further away than ever.
Frequently asked questions about the tourism crisis in Cuba
Why has tourism in Cuba declined so much in 2025?
Tourism in Cuba has significantly declined in 2025 due to internal structural issues such as shortages of basic goods, the deterioration of tourist infrastructure, lack of air connectivity, and insecurity. These factors have deterred tourists, even from key markets like Russia and Canada, which have historically been major sources of visitors to the island.
What are the main source markets for tourists to Cuba that have declined?
The main source markets for tourists to Cuba that have significantly decreased are Russia and Canada. The arrival of Russian tourists has been reduced to almost half compared to 2024, while the number of Canadian tourists has also notably declined. These countries, along with others like the United States and Germany, have shown a decrease in the number of visitors to the island.
What economic impact does the decline of tourism in Cuba have?
The decline of tourism in Cuba has a significant economic impact, as this sector is one of the main sources of income for the country. The decrease in visitors translates to an estimated income loss of more than 150 million dollars, which directly affects the sector controlled by the Business Administration Group S.A. (GAESA) and the Cuban economy as a whole.
How is the Cuban government responding to the tourism crisis?
The Cuban government continues to invest in the construction of hotels and tourism infrastructure despite low occupancy rates and a collapse in revenue. This strategy has been strongly criticized by economists and industry specialists, who point out the lack of self-reflection and the disconnect between investment and its actual profitability in the midst of a deep crisis.
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